Senate Meeting Synopsis for February 7, 2022

The fourth Senate meeting of the 2021-22 session was held on February 7, 2022 and was chaired by President Charlotte Yates.

Justin Mihaly, Student Senate Caucus Co-chair, commenced the meeting with a territorial land acknowledgment.

Leadership Updates

The President, Dr. Charlotte Yates, offered oral remarks and began by reminding Senators that February is Black History Month and encouraging participation in the activities planned by the Cultural Diversity Office and Guelph Black Students’ Association.

Dr. Yates provided updates on plans for phasing in hybrid Senate and Senate standing committee meetings and return to campus.

The President spoke about the University’s commitment to respectful dialogue and the role we all have to play in encouraging of constructive debate, protecting academic freedom and building an inclusive environment for all members, as well as the role of universities in advancing the principles of academic freedom, inclusion, and tolerance in the broader environment. A statement from Dr. Yates on academic freedom and democracy was posted on the President’s website following the meeting.

The President highlighted a proposed OVC partnership with Lakehead University, commented on future possibilities for the University of Guelph-Humber and concluded remarks with an update on the ongoing Chancellor’s Search. 

The Provost & Vice-President (Academic), Dr. Gwen Chapman, provided a presentation and update on enrolment, Fall 2023 application numbers and University budget planning.  

The Vice-President (Research), Dr. Malcolm Campbell, provided remarks on research activities, noting the high number of research accomplishments that have recently been achieved.

Key Business Items and Approvals

Other key items of business at the meeting included:

• Approval of Senate meeting dates for 2024-25
• Approval of new program in Project Management (Master and GDip (Type III)
• Approval of major modification to the Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art
• Items presented for information: President’s Kudos report, update from the COU Academic Colleague, undergraduate and graduate curriculum changes, graduate faculty appointments, call for Senate and Board of Governors Elections for 2022.

More Information

The complete meeting agenda package is available on the University Secretariat’s Governance Portal and includes detailed information on the items listed above.  The official record of the meeting is the meeting minutes, which will be available following their approval at the next regularly scheduled Senate meeting.

Upcoming Senate Meeting

The next regular meeting of Senate is scheduled to take place on Monday, April 4, 2022.

Meetings are open to the public and visitors who wish to attend are invited to contact the University Secretariat at univsec@uoguelph.ca